AJA OG-DANTE-12GAM Operating instructions

OG-DANTE-12GAM
12G-SDI Embedder/Disembedder DANTE 32 CH
openGear Card
Version 1.1.0
Published September 21, 2020
Installation and Operation Guide

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Notices
Trademarks
AJA® and Because it matters.® are registered trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.
for use with most AJA products. AJA™ is a trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for
use with recorder, router, software and camera products. Because it matters.™ is a
trademark of AJA Video Systems, Inc. for use with camera products.
Corvid Ultra®, lo®, Ki Pro®, KONA®, KUMO®, ROI® and T-Tap® are registered trademarks of
AJA Video Systems, Inc.
AJA Control Room™, KiStor™, Science of the Beautiful™, TruScale™, V2Analog™ and
V2Digital™ are trademarks of AJA Video Systems, Inc.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Copyright
Copyright © 2020 AJA Video Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. All information in
this manual is subject to change without notice. No part of the document may be
reproduced or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying or recording, without the express written permission of AJA
Video Systems, Inc.
Contacting AJA Support
When calling for support, have all information at hand prior to calling. To contact AJA
for sales or support, use any of the following methods:
Telephone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Web https://www.aja.com
Support Email suppor[email protected]
Sales Email [email protected]

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Contents
Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Copyright . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Contacting AJA Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Chapter 1 – Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Card Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
DashBoard for openGear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Dante Applications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
OG-DANTE-12GAM Simplied Block Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
I/O Connections for OG-DANTE-12GAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
LED Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Signal Indicators in the DashBoard Control System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
User Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
openGear and AJA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
DashBoard Control System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Dante Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Installation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Unpacking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Rear OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Front OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chapter 2 – Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Using the DashBoard Control System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Conguration Settings Stored in OG Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
DashBoard Control Interface Basic Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Using Dante Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Downloading Dante Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Learning How To Use Dante Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Appendix A – Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Appendix B – Safety and Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Warranty and Liability Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Limited Warranty on Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Limitation of Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Governing Law and Language; Your Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

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Chapter 1 – Introduction
Card Overview
The OG-DANTE-12GAM is a standalone 12G-SDI openGear converter card that
routes and receives SDI embedded audio to and from the Dante audio ecosystem.
It is ideal for system integrators who wish to handle broadcast audio over SDI
with the ability to transport the audio in and out of an Ethernet environment.
The OG-DANTE-12GAM is a dual 12G-SDI, 16-Channel per SDI port (for a total of
32 channels per card) Dante embedder/disembedder with Dashboard support.
Dante allows uncompressed, multi-channel, low latency high-resolution digital
audio to be distributed across a switched Ethernet network using standard TCP/IP
protocols while meeting the stringent quality requirements of professional audio.
The OG-DANTE-12GAM provides a high density method of bridging audio to and
from the Dante domain to source and destination equipment containing SDI
I/O with embedded audio. When using a single fully-loaded openGear frame, 10
cards can be utilized to allow 640 channels of audio bridging between SDI and
Dante.
Dante audio networking provides digital audio distribution over local networking
with low latency, using standard network hardware or by connecting into a
standard network infrastructure. This offers many advantages, including audio
system scalability, easier installation, and simplified wiring.
The OG-DANTE-12GAM automatically detects and configures to the input
video standard. 12G-SDI formats up to 4K/UltraHD 60 are supported (see
"OG-DANTE-12GAM Tech Specs" on page 27 for a complete listing). The SDI
outputs have minimal video latency and support up to 32 channels of embedded
audio.
NOTE: 2048x1080p/psf 29.97 and 30 formats support a maximum of 8 channels
embedded audio.

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Features
• openGear compatible card (requires 2 slots, rear card included)
• Use with openGear OG-3 and OG-X 2RU frames. DFR-8321 frame is not
supported.
• Dashboard is used for SDI configuration and status
• Dante Controller is used to route the audio paths. It is also used for all Dante
audio network status and configuration.
• Dante support – allows 12G-SDI audio embedding to and from Dante
ecosystem
• Dual SDI Channel Support – allows a total of 32 channels (2x 16-Channels)
• 640 Channels available per openGear frame when fully populated with 10x
OG-DANTE-12GAM cards
• 12G, 6G, 3G, HD, and SD-SDI embedder/disembedder
• 2x BNC 12G-SDI input
• 2x BNC 12G-SDI output
• 1x Primary and 1x Secondary Gigabit Ethernet ports for Dante network
redundancy
• Setup via DashBoard network control software
• Control via a range of Dante Software
• Hot-swap capable
• Five-year warranty
DashBoard for openGear
DashBoard by Ross Video is used to work with openGear cards and frames. Use
DashBoard as part of the configuration process of OG-DANTE-12GAM during
setup of the system integration.
Dante Applications
In addition to DashBoard, a number of software applications from Audinate are
used to work with the Dante ecosystem.
Dante Controller
Dante Controller is the most important Dante application. Dante Controller
shows the OG-DANTE-12GAM openGear card as 32 routable audio sources and
32 routable audio destinations. Use this application to set up the audio routing
betweeen Dante devices, control the audio connections in the Dante setup, and
move audio in real-time over an ethernet network.
Dante Domain Manager
Use Dante Domain Manager to manage the Dante network. It supports setting up
authentication, security, and other similar attributes for management of various
network architectures.
Dante Via
Use Dante Via to configure audio devices to appear on the Dante network; for
example, making the stereo audio portion of U-TAP appear as two audio source
channels on the Dante network.

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Dante Updater
Use Dante Updater to update Dante devices on the Dante network. The
OG-DANTE-12GAM will be visible in Dante Updater and will be updatable by this
application.
OG-DANTE-12GAM Simplified Block Diagram
Figure 1. OG-DANTE-12GAM Block Diagram
Cable EQ
12G-SDI Input 1
12G-SDI Output 1
DashBoard
Control
Dante
Controller
12G-SDI Input 2
12G-SDI Output 2
DANTE Interface
Ethernet
Primary
Ethernet
Secondary
Embedder
Embedder
32 Ch In and 32 Ch Out
32 Ch In and 32 Ch Out
SRC
SRC
Disembedder
Disembedder
Cable EQ
Cable Drive
Cable Drive
16 Ch 16 Ch
16 Ch 16 Ch
I/O Connections for OG-DANTE-12GAM
Figure 2. Rear View of OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Connectors
Ethernet
Secondary
Ethernet
Primary
SDI In 2
BNC (J3)
SDI Out 1
BNC (J5)
SDI Out 2
BNC (J7)
SDI In 1
BNC (J1)
LED Indicators
LEDs on the front (near door) of the card indicate the presence of power and the
type of signal detected on the SDI inputs as follows (from top to bottom):
Power LED
The Power LED indicates the state of the card as displayed in DashBoard. When
power is present, it can be green, yellow or red.
• Green: no DashBoard card state alarm is present.

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• Yellow: a yellow DashBoard card state alarm is present. See DashBoard for
more information.
• Red: a red DashBoard card state alarm is present. See DashBoard for more
information.
CH1 LOCK LED
The Channel 1 Lock LED will illuminate one of five colors to indicate the input
signal type detected:
• Green: SD
• Red: HD
• Amber: 3G
• Purple: 6G
• Blue: 12G
CH2 LOCK LED
The Channel 2 Lock LED will illuminate one of five colors to indicate the input
signal type detected:
• Green: SD
• Red: HD
• Amber: 3G
• Purple: 6G
• Blue: 12G
Signal Indicators in the DashBoard Control System
Card Alarm State – Red
This potential card state will result in a red alarm indicator:
• HW Status Unsupported Rear Module
Figure 3. Card alarm state red

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Card Alarm State – Yellow
When the input signal is not present, the DashBoard Control System shows a
yellow Card State alarm; for example, "SDI 2 Not Locked." Additionally, the Input is
shown as "No Video."
Figure 4. Signal not present or not locked
Card Alarm State – Green
When there is a valid input signal detected, the DashBoard Control System shows
a green Card State. Additionally, under the SDI 1 Status tab, the SDI 1 field reports
"Locked," and the Input field shows the resolution of the signal detected (for
example, "1920x1080p 59.94").
Figure 5. Signal is present and locked

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User Controls
The essential user controls for the OG-DANTE-12GAM consist of three
components—an openGear 2RU frame, the DashBoard Control System, and
Dante Controller.
openGear and AJA
openGear is an open-architecture, modular frame system designed by Ross
Video and supported by a diverse range of terminal equipment manufacturers,
including AJA. Ross Video manufactures the frames, power supplies and network
cards for openGear. AJA is a reseller of the openGear frames.
AJA Video is a leading manufacturer of video interface technologies, converters,
digital video recording solutions and professional cameras, bringing high-
quality, cost-effective products to the professional, broadcast and post-
production markets. AJA products, including openGear cards, are designed and
manufactured at our facilities in Grass Valley, California.
DashBoard Control System
The DashBoard Control System, created by Ross Video, provides a control
interface between Windows, macOS and Linux computers and the cards installed
in an openGear frame. DashBoard operates through TCP/IP communication
and requires an Ethernet connection between the controlling computer and an
openGear frame.
Use DashBoard to set up which channels are going to be embedded.
For details about acquiring and using the DashBoard Control System, refer to
"Using the DashBoard Control System" on page 14.
Dante Controller
Dante Controller is the most important Dante application. Dante Controller
shows the OG-DANTE-12GAM openGear card as 32 routable audio sources and
32 routable audio destinations. Use this application to set up the audio routing
betweeen Dante devices, control the audio connections in the Dante setup, and
move audio in real-time over an ethernet network. Dante Controller is also used
for configuring certain network settings and for monitoring network status.
For more information, see "Using Dante Controller" on page 24.
Installation
Summary
NOTE: Use with openGear OG-3-FR and OG-X-FR 2RU frames. DFR-8321 frame is not
supported.
Installing an OG-DANTE-12GAM card into an OG-X-FR openGear frame consists of
the following steps:
• Install the Rear Panel onto the back of the frame corresponding to the slot pair
you will be using for the OG-DANTE-12GAM card.
• Insert the OG-DANTE-12GAM card into the frame in the right (even numbered)
slot of the pair.

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• Connect the BNC cabling to the Rear Panel.
• Connect the Ethernet cabling to the Primary Ethernet.
NOTE: The Secondary Ethernet port is for redundant network only and must use a
separate network switch.
ESD Susceptibility - Static discharge can cause serious damage to sensitive
semiconductor devices. Avoid handling circuit boards in high static
environments such as carpeted areas, and when wearing synthetic fiber
clothing. Always exercise proper grounding precautions when working on circuit
boards and related equipment.
Unpacking
Unpack each openGear product you received from the shipping container and
ensure that all items are included. If any items are missing or damaged, contact
your sales representative or AJA directly.
Parts List
Quantity Description
1 OG-DANTE-12GAM Front Card in ESD
bag
1 4 BNC and 2 Ethernet Port Rear Card
Rear OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Installation
1. Ensure that the frame is properly installed.
2. Locate the card frame slot on the rear of the openGear frame into which you
wish to install the openGear card.
NOTE: An OG-DANTE-12GAM card occupies two slots in the frame.
3. Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the top screw from the desired blank
rear plate and remove the rear plate.
4. Seat the bottom of the Rear Card in the seating slot at the base of the frame
back plane.

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Figure 6. Rear Card Inserting Into Frame Seating Slot
5. Align the top screw of the Rear Card with the screw hole on the top edge of
the frame back plane.
6. Ensure the Rear Card aligns with the desired card slot before tightening the
screw.
7. Using a Phillips screwdriver, fasten the Rear Card to the frame back plane.
Do not over tighten.
Figure 7. Rear Card Inserted Into Frame Seating Slot

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8. Ensure proper frame cooling and ventilation by having all rear frame slots
covered with rear modules or blank metal plates if plates are not pre-
installed.
Front OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Installation
1. Open the openGear frame door as follows:
A. Gently pull the side door tabs towards the center of the door, releasing the
door from the frame.
B. Using both hands, pull the door towards you. The door extender arms
prevent the door from falling.
2. Locate the Rear Card you installed as described above. The interior slot
number is dependent on the slot combinations into which you installed the
Rear Card. This allows adequate spacing to avoid damaging the card, the
cards installed in the neighboring slots, or both.
3. Hold the card by the edges and carefully align the card edges with the rails
inside the frame. The slots are numbered starting from the left-most slot
when facing the frame front.
IMPORTANT: OG-DANTE-12GAM cards are installed into the right (even numbered) slot of
the pair in order to connect with the rear panel.
4. Fully insert the card into the frame until the card is properly seated in the
Rear Card. There are two stages to inserting the card:
A. After you feel the card's first click, its position in the frame will resemble the
photograph below in Figure 8.
B. Next, press against the white plastic tab again until you feel the second
click. The card's position will resemble the photograph below in Figure 9.
NOTE: Some cards require more pressure than others to be fully inserted. Make sure that
the plastic tab at the bottom of the front edge of the card is completely upright. If
it is tilting forward, the card is not yet fully inserted.
Figure 8. The card on the left is already fully inserted. The card on the right
is not yet fully inserted, as indicated by the white plastic tab tilting
forward.

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Figure 9. The white plastic tab for the card on the right is now upright. Both
cards are shown fully inserted.
5. Close the frame door as follows:
A. Slide the door into the frame.
B. Pull and release the door tabs to ensure the frame door is securely locked
to the frame.
Cabling
Refer to Figure 2 on page 6 to identify the input and output signal connectors.
After installing the OG-DANTE-12GAM with its rear card into your openGear frame
and connecting your SDI inputs and outputs, connect a Cat5 or Cat6 Ethernet
cable from your applicable network to the Ethernet Primary port on the rear card.
NOTE: The Ethernet Secondary port is used only for a secondary redundant network
connection that must be on a separate network. Dante Controller will not
function correctly if the Primary and Secondary Ethernet Ports are connected to
the same network switch.

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Chapter 2 – Operation
Using the DashBoard Control System
The DashBoard Control System is available as a free download from the openGear
DashBoard Software Download webpage:
https://www.rossvideo.com/support/software-downloads/dashboard/
Ross Video offers comprehensive documentation that covers the extensive
capabilities of the DashBoard Control System:
https://www.rossvideo.com/support/product-documentation/dashboard/
This AJA OG-DANTE-12GAM manual addresses only those essential aspects of the
DashBoard Control System needed to control the OG-DANTE-12GAM card.
Requirements
Use the latest available version of DashBoard.
The DashBoard Control System requires the following components:
• openGear frame with a Frame Controller card
• Ethernet connection betweeen the controlling computer and the openGear
frame
NOTE: The openGear frame ships from AJA with the MFC-8322-S Frame Controller card
for controlling the new AJA DashBoard cards. The openGear frame also supports
the MFC-0G3-N Advanced Networking Frame Controller card, which can be used
to control compatible OG cards.
DashBoard automatically discovers openGear and DashBoard Connect devices,
such as openGear frames and cards that are present and accessible on your
network.
Configuration Settings Stored in OG Card
Configuration settings made through DashBoard are stored in the
OG-DANTE-12GAM unit through subsequent power cycles.
DashBoard Control Interface Basic Components
The basic components of the DashBoard Control System user interface consist of
the basic tree view of frames and cards, the card information and status panel,
and the parameter controls panel. These elements are shown below.

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Figure 10. Main Sections of the DashBoard User Interface
Parameter
Controls
Card Information
and Status
Basic Tree View of
Frames and Cards
Basic Tree View of Frames and Cards
The basic tree view in the left column shows the frames and cards that are
discoverable by DashBoard on your network.
Card Information and Status
The card information and status panel, shown in the middle panel, display the
basic status of the card currently selected in DashBoard.
Parameter Controls
The parameter controls panel on the right side of DashBoard shows the tabs and
parameters that are configurable for the selected card. The white fields indicate
that they can be written to, or modified.

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Card Tab Screen
Figure 11. OG-DANTE-12GAM Card Tab Screen in DashBoard
The Card tab screen indicates the basic information about the card itself such as
the card name, hardware status, serial number, software version and other items.

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SDI 1 Status Tab Screen
Figure 12. OG-DANTE-12GAM SDI 1 Status Tab Screen in DashBoard
The SDI 1 Status tab screen indicates the status of key aspects of signal presence
such as SDI 1 Lock, SDI Signal Type, Input Signal, Output Signal, and which groups
are present in the ingoing and outgoing embedded audio.
SDI 2 Status Tab Screen
Figure 13. OG-DANTE-12GAM SDI 2 Status Tab Screen in DashBoard
The SDI 2 Status tab screen indicates the status of key aspects of signal presence
such as SDI 2 Lock, SDI Signal Type, Input Signal, Output Signal, and which groups
are present in the ingoing and outgoing embedded audio.

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DANTE Status Tab Screen
Figure 14. OG-DANTE-12GAM DANTE Status Tab Screen in DashBoard
The DANTE Status tab screen indicates what audio channels are being actively
routed to the OG-DANTE-12GAM through the Dante network for the following
four channel groups:
• Channel 1 - 8
• Channel 9 - 16
• Channel 17 - 24
• Channel 25 - 32

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SDI 1 Control Tab Screen
Figure 15. OG-DANTE-12GAM SDI 1 Control Tab Screen in DashBoard
Click on the SDI 1 Control tab to view and make changes to the audio embedding
and disembedding settings.
HANC Data - When Pass is selected, all incoming HANC packets are passed unless
the embedder settings require all or part of them to be over-written.
When Delete is selected, all incoming HANC packets are dropped before
embedding any new audio packets. The embedder settings determine all
embedded audio output. Disembedding is not affected.
NOTE: 2048x1080p/psf 29.97 and 30 formats support a maximum of 8 channels of
embedded audio. When one of these formats is present and embedding is turned
on, the PASS HANC setting will be ignored and all incoming packets will be
dropped before embedding any new audio packets.
Audio Channel Pair Pass/Embed - Choose which SDI audio channels will embed
incoming Dante audio channels. When Pass is selected, the corresponding
incoming and outgoing audio channel pair for SDI 1 remain unchanged.
When Embed is selected, the selected channel pair will embed the
corresponding incoming Dante channel pair into the outgoing SDI 1 signal.
NOTE: If a channel is not set up to embed in DashBoard, you can still make the route in
Dante Controller but the audio will not be embedded.

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SDI 2 Control Tab Screen
Figure 16. OG-DANTE-12GAM SDI 2 Control Tab Screen in DashBoard
Click on the SDI 2 Control tab to view and make changes to the audio embedding
and disembedding settings.
HANC Data - When Pass is selected, all incoming HANC packets are passed unless
the embedder settings require all or part of them to be over-written.
When Delete is selected, all incoming HANC packets are dropped before
embedding any new audio packets. The embedder settings determine all
embedded audio output. Disembedding is not affected.
NOTE: 2048x1080p/psf 29.97 and 30 formats support a maximum of 8 channels of
embedded audio. When one of these formats is present and embedding is turned
on, the PASS HANC setting will be ignored and all incoming packets will be
dropped before embedding any new audio packets.
Audio Channel Pair Pass/Embed - Choose which SDI audio channels will embed
incoming Dante audio channels. When Pass is selected, the corresponding
incoming and outgoing audio channel pair for SDI 2 remain unchanged.
When Embed is selected, the selected channel pair will embed the
corresponding incoming Dante channel pair into the outgoing SDI 2 signal.